President Biden delivered one of the many eulogies for Carter.
President Joe Biden, President-elect Donald Trump, former presidents and other dignitaries came together Thursday to honor the life of former President Jimmy Carter at a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Grandson Jason Carter and Biden were among those who delivered eulogies for the 39th president, who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100.
The plane carrying former President Jimmy Carter’s casket has taken off from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, marking the last time the 39th president leaves the Washington, D.C., area.
Carter is returning to his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where his family will hold a private service and burial.
Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket was carried out of Washington National Cathedral to the strains of "Hail to the Chief" at the conclusion of the service.
Next, the hearse will drive to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The casket will be placed on a plane to return to Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, for a private service.
The 39th president, who died on Dec. 29 at age 100, will be buried in Plains next to his beloved wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, who died on Nov. 19, 2023, at the age of 96.
Jimmy Carter's casket departs National Cathedral
"I don't mean this with any disrespect, but, it's still hard for me to understand how you could get to be president from Plains, Georgia,” said former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, prompting a big laugh from the crowd in the cathedral.
Young, 92, was appointed to be U.N. Ambassador by Carter and was the first Black person to hold the position.
Young recalled how Carter grew up in a mostly Black county and had many Black friends. He said Carter asked that his roommate at the Naval Academy be the first Black midshipmen in hopes that he could help him adjust.
Carter "went out of his way to embrace those of us who had grown up in all kinds of conflict," Young said. "But that was the sensitivity, the spirituality that made James Earl Carter a truly great president."
"He never wavered from his commitment to God almighty and his love of all of God’s children," Young said. "Jimmy Carter was a blessing that helped to create a great United Staes of America. And for all of us, and many who are not able to be here, I want to say, thank you. You have been a blessing from God and your spirit will remain with us."
Andrew Young: Jimmy Carter had ‘tough mind and tender heart’
After wiping his eyes during "Amazing Grace," President Joe Biden stepped up to the pulpit to recall his friendship with former President Jimmy Carter.
"Jimmy Carter's friendship taught me ... strength of character is more than the title or power we hold. It's the strength to understand that everyone should be treated with dignity, respect. That everyone -- and I mean everyone deserves an even shot," Biden said.
"We have an obligation to give hate no safe harbor and to stand up to -- [what] my dad said, the greatest sin of all -- the abuse of power," Biden said, as all of the former presidents looked on. "It's not about being perfect, none of us are perfect. We're all fallible."
"Jimmy Carter, throughout his life, he showed us what it means to be a practitioner of good works and a good and faithful servant of God, and of the people," Biden said.
Some may think Carter is from a "bygone era," but Carter "saw well into the future," Biden said.
To anyone in search of meaning and purpose, Biden said, "study the power of Jimmy Carter's example."
"I miss him, but I take solace in knowing that he and his beloved Rosalynn are reunited again," he said.
Biden’s eulogy for Jimmy Carter: He taught me ‘strength of character’
